DECEMBER 2011/JANUARY 2012
www.celtic-connection.com
Page 39
The ingenuity of
the desperate soccer fan
DUBLIN Conor Cunningham, of Ballincollig in Cork, became something of a celebrity as news of how, without a ticket, he became a spectator at Ireland's match in Estonia on November 11.
The 27-year-old part-time fitness instructor tried to bluff his way into the ground as a member of the security staff but was turned away.
He did notice an open door and on entering found an Estonian track suit which he donned over his jeans and Irishjersey.
This turned out to be his passport into the ground as, carrying a net of footballs, he found himself on the side line with the only vacant seat beside the Estonian manager.
He chanced that but after a time a UEFA official noticed too many in the dug-out and told him to move.
He then parked himself beside a television camera man but was later spotted by the same official who said he would have to go into the stand and pointed to a seat six rows back.
That is where he watched the game,
CONOR Cunningham, of Ballincollig in Cork managed to inveigle his way in to the Ireland match in Estonia on November 11 after arriving in the country without a ticket.
trying not to show his emotions when Ireland scored.
When it was all over he went back onto the pitch to join the Irish team in their lap of honour, and no one questioned the Estonian "official" who was taking such delight in the Irish victory.
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'Boys in Green' will keep same strip for Euro 2012
DUBLIN - There was good news for cash-strapped football fans after the FAI revealed it will not be changing the Irish team's home kit ahead of next summer's European Championships.
In a bid to reassure Christmas shoppers wary of the frequent kit changes in the past, the Football
Association of Ireland (FAI) released a statement on its website. "With the Christmas period coming up and presents being purchased we wanted to clarify the situation for you all," it said.
Ireland only launched their current strip last summer ahead of the Carling Nations Cup but usually release a revised version before the finals of maj or tournaments.
The FAI did not clarify whether it intended to revamp its away j ersey but did say that Umbro, the kit manufacturer, would launch new training and leisure products "as usual" around next March.
However, as the 'Boys in Green' line out for the group stages of Euro 2012, they will do so in the same strips worn against Estonia earlier this month. Currently, home jerseys for men and women cost EU60, while baby kits can be bought for EU3 5.
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